Continuous Bias

Watch the video...

Turn a square of fabric into yards of continuous bias quilt binding the fast and easy way! Beth Hayes takes the mystery out of this near-magical technique with her step-by-step demonstration. If you have problems running the video, click here for troubleshooting tips.

Step-by-Step Instructions.

Step 1 - Measure the quilt to determine how many inches of binding you need. Allow 10" extra for turning corners and the closure. The equation is: [(height of quilt + width of quilt) x 2] + 10. Refer to chart to find the size square needed.

Size square to Cut

Length Needed

1½˝-Wide Bias Strip

2˝-Wide Bias Strip

2½˝-Wide Bias Strip

3˝-Wide Bias Strip

110˝

14˝ square

16˝ square

18˝ square

20˝ square

220˝

19˝ square

23˝ square

26˝ square

28˝ square

340˝

23˝ square

28˝ square

32˝ square

35˝ square

480˝

28˝ square

33" square

37˝ square

40˝ square

Step 2. Cut the square in half diagonally (Diagram I).

Step 3. With right sides together, sew the triangles together with a 1/4" seam and press open.

Step 4. On fabric wrong side long edges, draw lines to make strips of your chosen binding width (Diagram II). Use a clear acrylic rotary ruler and a pencil or fine-point permanent pen to draw the lines.

Step 5. Bring the short diagonal edges together, forming a tube (Diagram III). Offset the drawn lines by one strip. With right sides together, match lines with pins at the 1/4" seamline and stitch seam; press open.

I have tried this before and have to watch a video each time before I do it. This video is very clear and will be my go to video. I also appreciate the chart for the size of square to cut to get the proper amount of binding.

Watching the video made this very easy. The only thing I did differently was to offset the last seam to the left, so that I could hold the strip with my left hand and cut with my right, as I am right-handed. I noticed that in the video, cutting with the right hand seemed awkward with the strip on the right. With the offset on the right, it seems better for a left-hander.

I needed to make a few pillow with cording. I usually get mixed up seeing the flat diagrams in my books. However, this step-by-step hands-on video is just what I needed. I don't make continuous bias too often, but I'll refer back to this video when needed. Thanks again.

This was my third reference on my first attempt at continuous bias binding. I had a comprehensive sewing manual which had the basics but I got lost along the way and then found a YouTube video which had me confused as well. So I watched your video with pencil lines already on my fabric. I was prepared to throw the whole thing in the trash and purchase the binding at the craft store, but instead I now have the custom binding from the fabric I chose. Thank you so much for your excellent tutorial!

Wonderful video -- Beth did such a good job of explaining every aspect of making continuous bias binding. Marking each side with 1 and 2 makes it easier to know where to join for seams. Thank you so much!

this was a great tutorial! I usually have more questions when following a teacher, but this went so smoothly. I am so amazed with myself! I will definitely use this method again and again. Making "Summer at Mom"s and am using this for the vines. Thank you.

I'm not a quilter. I wanted to make a long strip of check fabric cut in the bias to use as a ruffle for the edge of some white sheer curtain panels.
I used a 54 inch x 54 inch square of the raspberry check fabric. My curtains were to be 94 inches in length. My strips were 3.5 inches wide. I had more than enough to make the ruffle for the curtains.
The main thing was writing the numbers on each side to match each side and then sew them together. It was the PERFECT directions for me! Great job Beth Hayes! The best directions on the internet!
Thank You!!!

After watching your video, I made bias binding for the first time and it turned out pretty well. I'll be using it for a scalloped-edge quilt. Hope it goes on smoothly; it's my first scalloped edge. Thanks for the great demo!!

I am so grateful you shared this video. The numbering was the key!! I have tried this over and over and for some reason, it wouldn't work. I know it will now after your detailed video demo. Thank you!!

I stumbled on this article and want to share with you...I made a pattern of this years ago and misplaced it. If you make the pattern and mark the straight grain of fabric you can lay this out on fabric without the center seam. I love this shortcut!

I have recently been adding bias binding, piping and corded piping to most of my sewing projects (quilted and non-quilted). I am familiar with this method of producing lots of bias but have never seen info for the amount of fabric required to produce particular lengths. (I only wish you had included info for 1 1/2" strips - which is the standard width for plain and corded piping)
Anyway - thanks tons!!

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